This is a release from the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade committee
There is no greater place to be Irish
than New Haven. Since its inception in
March 1842, the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade has held fast to
Irish pride, tradition, and family.
Before the parade hits the streets on March 12, 2017, a long-celebrated
event precedes it pageantry; The annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Ball.
Often considered the social highlight of
parade season, the Ball officially introduces the Parade Grand Marshal, the
Queen and her Honor Attendant, the Committee, and the Honorees to the community
in a formal event shaped throughout the evening with flavors and heraldry
reminiscent of grand days past.
This year, the Parade honors Grand
Marshal Clifford Wall Lynch, Jr. of Woodbridge. His lineage traces back to the Village of
Passage East in County Waterford on his mother's side and to County Cork on
that of his father's. Cliff, an active
participant in New Haven's Irish American Community, is a member and past
President of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, a member of the
Knights of St. Patrick, as well as the New Haven Elks Lodge 25, Athol Eagles
Club, and Porcini International. In
addition, Cliff has co-chaired the Annual Shamrock Open for several years. Most recently, he has helped to resurrect the
New Haven Bed Race in 2015.
Celebrating alongside the Grand Marshal
are distinguished honorees: Porcini
International, recipient of the James J. Dinnan Award; Dorinda Keenan Borer,
recipient of the Cornelius Driscoll Award; and Patricia Judge Nester, recipient
of the Appreciation Award.
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| The green hills of Ireland |
Porcini International, est. 1996, is an
organization that proactively contributes to well deserving non-profit
organizations in many unique ways.
Membership has expanded through all diversities, religions and professions
who together discuss ways to help fund raise and participate in local New Haven
Based non-profit organizations in any way possible. 100% of their funds raised go directly and
immediately to charity. Over their
20-year history, Porcini International has been responsible for over $200,000
in donations.
The Cornelius Driscoll Award is presented
to Dorinda Keenan Borer of West Haven as one who exemplifies a strong
commitment to serving the public for the better of humanity. Dorinda has been a champion for many causes
including her most passionate, child advocacy.
Her contributions while serving on the Board of Education in West Haven
helped modernize the health and wellness for students with emphasis on a
state-of-the-art healthy eating program.
She created models for child safety as First Lady of West Haven, was on
the Board of Directors for ACES, currently leads the Elks Drug Awareness
program for children, and was recently named West Haven's Person of the Year
based on her dedication and volunteerism.
Dorinda's contributions to the Irish Community has continued throughout
the years. She served as President of
the West Haven Irish Club, earned the honorable position of Grand Marshal in
2003, and, while serving as Chairman of the committee, aided in introducing the
Cornelius Driscoll Award along with fellow committee member, John Doyle
The Appreciation Award recipient,
Patricia Judge Nester, has been a committee member for over 14 years. She has served on various fund-raising
committees and has been co-chair for the Annual Corned Beef Dinners for eleven
years! The dinners have successfully
raised funds for the parade all of those years.
Pat's father was a well-known banjo player and could be heard playing
with local Irish Musicians in the New Haven area. Growing up with the sounds of jigs and reels
helped form her interest in Irish music.
Pat's husband of 60 years, Walter, was the 2011 Grand Marshal. On Parade Day, you will see Pat carrying her
half of the committee banner as she has done since joining the committee.
The Parade Ball will be held at Anthony'sOcean View on February 24, 2017.
It will, no doubt, be a night to remember not only for the honorees, but
for the entire Irish Community. Please
join us in the celebration, pride, and tradition.
For more information, visit our website at
www.stpatricksdayparade.org or call Joanne Conlan at: 203-494-6297, joanne.conlan@aim.com. RSVP by Feb. 15. Cost is $100 pp and includes a night of
dinner, dancing, entertainment, and open bar.
Editor's note: All information and the top photo in this post were contributed. Click one of the buttons below to share it.
OLD SAYBROOK - Sharon Shannon, "a name synonymous with and entrenched in the culture and fabric of Irish Traditional Music," will appear at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, known as “the Kate,” at 8 p.m. March 3, according to a release.
